2ND OF TISHREY

Rebbe Yisroel Perlov of Stolin (1868-1920)

Some Details of His Life--
Reb Yisroel was the fifth generation descendant of Reb Aharon HaGadol, the founder of Karlin Chasidus. On his mother's side, he was the fifth generation from the great Chasidic leader, the Magid of Koznitz. He had ten children --six sons and four daughters. His fifth son, Rebbe Avraham Elimelech, later became his successor as Rebbe of Karlin. At his bris, his father, Reb Asher of Stolin, named him after three great Chasidic leaders, and it was later said of him that he combined the outstanding qualities of all of them: Rebbe Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, the founder and Chasidus; his ancestor, Rebbe Yisroel, the Magid of Koznitz; and Rebbe Yisroel of Ruzhin. In addition to being known throughout the Jewish world as the Karliner Rebbe, Reb Yisroel had several other titles attached to his name. He was buried in the city of Frankfurt, and thus later became known among Karliner Chasidim as "the Frankfurter." Perhaps his most intriguing title was another one by which he was also well-known: "the Yenuka," which means "unique child" in Aramaic. This title stayed with him throughout his life, and until today it is used by Chasidim as a way of identifying this unusual Rebbe.

The Five Year-Old Chasidic Leader: His father passed away suddenly when Reb Yisroel was only five years old. The elder Chasidim gathered together and pondered the future. They remembered the prediction of greatness for the child made by his grandfather Reb Aharon, who had sensed the nobility of his soul. He had remarked to the boy's father, Reb Asher, "Your son will not be one to show off his learning, and he will not pray with a lot of outward expression, yet he will reach levels that neither of us have reached." Yet, he was only five years old. Did he already possess the qualities of seriousness and deep Torah wisdom needed to serve as a full-fledged Rebbe? Would the Chasidim respect and adhere to his advice? Many nights were spent weighing and examining the answers to these, and other delicate questions. Finally, in an unprecedented move, Yisroel was chosen as the heir to the Karlin dynasty. Thus he received the name, "the Yenuka." And he astonished the world. The very idea of a five-year-old Rebbe sitting at the head of the Shabbos table was unique. His father's assistant, the venerable Reb Yisroel Binyomin, stood at his side, while the elders of Karlin sat around the long table, with the younger Chasidim behind them. Outsiders came often to gaze at this wonder child. Besides Reb Yisroel Binyomin, a few of his father's close and devoted Chasidim became Yisroel's mentors. But he was never bashful or hesitant to be himself. He was, after all, only a youngster. But the normal actions of his very tender years hid an incredibly sharp perception. Once someone said to him, "I'll give you a kopeck if you can tell me where Hashem is." "I'll give you two," he replied unhesitatingly, "if you'll show me where He isn't!" That was his hallmark: Always to the point. He sharply perceived the needs of the people who came to receive his advice and blessing, and he gave a fully-comprehensive answer, with the maturity and understanding of one many times his age. He was considered a genius, filled with wisdom although young in years. Many followed his advice and found that his directives led them on the right path. There were times when Chasidim came to the young Rebbe in the middle of his games, and he would often answer them without interrupting his play. One time a tenant farmer came to him, explaining how much he was suffering from his cruel, anti-Semitic landlord. The Rebbe was playing with a stick in the courtyard, digging holes in the ground. The Chasid repeated his plight to the Rebbe, who continued his playing, giving the impression that he wasn't paying attention. The farmer then turned to the Rebbe's attendant, Reb Yisroel Binyomin, asking him to intercede on his behalf. "This person is waiting for an answer," whispered the attendant. The Rebbe immediately turned around and answered them, "Don't you see what I'm doing? I'm digging a pit to bury the landlord. Let this farmer go home in peace." When the farmer reached his home, he was told that his landlord died suddenly.

The Rebbe's Later Years of Leadership: After his marriage at the age of fifteen, Rebbe Yisroel took greater control over the affairs of the Karlin court. His talents as an organizer and leader were undisputed and he worked energetically to achieve consolidation and unity. Perhaps the underlying theme of his life was bringing peace between Jews. Although he knew all of the Talmud by heart at the age of eighteen, he preferred not to display his scholarship. In his many travels, in which he often dressed like a businessman, he mingled with the masses and talked their language, being well-versed in medicine, pharmacology, mathematics, and music. His ability to make small talk with anyone endeared him to many. His medical knowledge enabled him to give knowing advice on a number of medical problems. As a result of their personal contact with him, a number of these people began to deepen their commitment to Judaism. He played the violin and the flute, composing many melodies. To him, music was holy, a Divine service, like that which the Levites performed with their instruments during the Temple service. In fact, just as the priests in the Temple had done before beginning their service, Rebbe Yisroel would wash his hands before sitting down to play. He imbued his Chasidim with his love of music. Some estimate that there are over 2000 Karliner songs today, and many of them come from Rebbe Yisroel's era.

He Said:
--There are those who fast every week, the whole week from Shabbos to Shabbos, and they are still full of desires and appetites. --Once when he was playing music with his grown sons, one of them played a wrong note. The Rebbe turned to him and said, "That is not the way to serve the King of Kings." --Once, the commander of a troop of soldiers planning on carrying out a pogrom in Stolin came to the Rebbe and offered to save his children. The Rebbe unhesitatingly replied, "All the Jews of Stolin are my children!"

The commander abandoned his plans and left the city. --In his will, he warned his children to avoid superficiality in Torah and Chasidus and to beware of distortions. He also placed special emphasis on the importance of the woman in the Jewish family, saying, "Do not let your children be like those whose education is derived from newspaper and storybooks which lead them astray. Furthermore, pay utmost attention to your daughters' education and upbringing because the cornerstone of Judaism --the family-- depends upon it."

It Was Said of Him:
--The Rebbe of Radzin once commented that there were three outstanding qualities in the Yenuka:
1) He could speak before ten thousand people and not one of them would comprehend the full depth and true meaning of what he was saying

. 2) Every word he spoke, even what he said to laymen on his travels abroad, was based on the words of the Sages.

3) He was completely independent and only subjugated himself to the Almighty. --He prayed motionless and upright, as in the presence of the King, not revealing the fiery fervor burning within him. The Kotzker Rebbe remarked to one of his Chasidim, "Reb Yisroel serves Hashem in all his ways. Don't be fooled by his appearance. Inwardly, he is very different from what you might think."

During one of his many trips, he was in Germany and died there on the second day of Rosh Hoshona, at the young age of 52, and was buried in Frankfort-Am-Main His son, Rav Avrohom Elimelech, remarked, "My father was constantly active throughout his lifetime, promoting brotherly love among all Jews. Therefore, it was fitting that he left this world on the day when all Jews are gathered together as one, serving the Almighty.
c Rabbi Shlomo Ashkenazy, 1996